Veterans Day - Remembering Dad

Pulling Dad's letters from an old tin,  I feel his loneliness as I read his letters home. 

(FYI, Jo was my mom)

Jan. 18, 1946

Friday

Dear Mom and Dad,

"Just a few lines to let you know I am well..."  

"I have been transferred again, this time on a ship..." 

"Have you seen Jo lately?"

July 15, 1948

"I got paid yesterday.  Boy I sure did need it.  I got forty four dollars....."

Tokyo:  Sept. 30

Dear Mom and Dad,

"Just a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you all are the same.."

"How's the garden getting along this year?"

"I got a letter from Jo the other day...."

"Don't forget to send me some pictures..."

Monday, Aug. 13

"We sure have been having good news lately about the war.  It looks to me like it's almost over..."

"I haven't gotten any mail from you in about a month. I guess I'll get it all at once..."

"I don't want to miss this chance to get home for Christmas..."

"Have you seen Jo lately? I wrote to her tonight. Tell her to answer and let me know if she gets it..." 

"Well this makes almost 2 1/2 years I have been in the Navy.  It don't seem that long. I am getting to like it better than I did before. I get to see a lot of places and things.."

Dad, the handsome sailor on the left.

Love, Bob EM 3R

Dad died when he was just 53 years of age, leaving with me many memories and a heartfelt gratitude to God for an earthly father who was quiet, loving, generous, compassionate, hard-working, and honest.

I was blessed with two brothers who also served in the military, Jimmy, Marines and Larry, Navy.     

God bless those who serve... who give of themselves...  to keep our country a safer place.  

  

Respect

Today I attended my uncle's funeral.  He was in his late eighties and his family was not so much mourning as rejoicing that he was no longer suffering but that he had moved on to Glory.  

 With my headlights turned on and a funeral flag placed on my car, I drove through town and about half a dozen red traffic lights as I followed the funeral procession.  Crossing over a major highway and through yet another red light - all hurried motorists came to a standstill while watching our vehicles file through in front of them en route to the cemetery.  I felt special, being a part of something that 

created this much respect.  

This was funeral with Military honors, since Uncle Roy had served in WWII.  Attending  a military funeral is a wonderful experience.  I hadn't been to one since my Dad's funeral many years ago, and I had forgotten.  Other comrades in full uniform who had served in that same war filed one by one to the front where he lay, respectfully saluted him, and left.  It gave me chill bumps.    At the cemetery there were guns fired, taps played, and the presenting of the folded flag to the family.  How could you not get teary?!  

Today I saw something I hadn't seen in a very long time.  

It was genuine and heartfelt.  

In one word - Respect.